98 civic upper control arm

OK so I did the passenger upper control arm on my 98 civic yesterday. It
took about 20 minutes, very easy job. Torqued the bolts down as per my
Haynes manual (i know sometimes Haynes is wrong, but it was all I had at the
time).

Torqued the Upper Ball joint castle nut to 35 ft-lbs
Torques the Side bolts to 40 ft-lbs

When I was driving later, I took a left turn (I did the right control arm),
and heard a *CLANG*. Stopped, inspected it and nothing was wrong, and
everything was tight as could be.

Was this just the upper balljoint taper seating itself properly into the
steering knuckle? If so, I guess I should retorque the castle nut, right?

Thanks
t

 

Did you make sure the suspension was at its normal (on the ground) position
before tightening everything up?

 

I had a jack under the lower control arm. Pretty much impossible to get in
there while the tire is on, it would be in the way. Or am I missing
something here?

 

If you have the jack under the lower control arm and jack it up JUST to the
point where it elevates the car, and then torque your bolts, then that
shouldn't be a problem. Sounds like you did it right.

 

Those are the side bolts. I don't think they are the issue here, I was
referring to the castle nut on the upper ball joint.

t

 

that one can be tightened in any position - it's the bolts that fasten
rubber bushings that need to be tightened with the car on the ground.